2 tips for hot weather big walls
This tip come from big wall expert Andy Kirkpatrick. Check out his excellent book on big wall climbing, “Higher Education.”
Yosemite valley or Zion in the summer can be a reflector oven on a big wall. If you find yourself in the heat, here are two easy ways to stay a bit cooler.
small folding umbrella
water mist/spray bottle
Between some instant shade and evaporative cooling, you can stay a lot more comfortable at that multi-hour belay.
Know what time of day your route will be in the shade, and plan strategically around that. Taking a nap in your portaledge in the heat of the day might be a great call.
That will give you some time to think about why most people like to climb in Zion and Yosemite Valley in the spring and autumn. :-) If you're in Yosemite in the summer and want to climb, consider heading to the higher elevation Tuolumne Meadows area.
One more option to stay cooler: a sun brim for your helmet.
